Police: Paterson drug dealer locked girlfriend in room

State police say an accused drug dealer in Paterson may have kept his girlfriend padlocked in his bedroom for extended periods of time over the past two years. Police say they found more than $4,000

News 12 Staff

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Aug 14, 2012, 2:18 AM

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Updated 4,416 days ago

State police say an accused drug dealer in Paterson may have kept his girlfriend padlocked in his bedroom for extended periods of time over the past two years.

Police say they found more than $4,000 prescription pills, 190 grams of marijuana and more than $22,000 in cash at Michael Mendez's apartment at the Riverside Terrace Housing Complex.

Authorities also say they found a woman padlocked in a bedroom who may have been locked up for extended periods of time over the past two years.

Mendez has been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and multiple drug charges. He is being held at Passaic County Jail with bail set at $1 million.

Mendez's alleged victim was taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson for an evaluation.